The Spectrum & Daily News submitted questions to the Utah Governor candidates. The following are unedited responses from candidates in this Q & A feature.

Background: Retired as a two-star general from the Army Reserve; former director of Economic Development under Gov. Scott Matheson; CEO of PSC Development Company and Evergreene Management Group, which specialize in developing, financing and constructing single- and multi-family housing units in the Western United States.

The Legislature likely will consider a measure that would earmark 15 percent of Utah's sales tax revenue to fund water projects such as the Lake Powell pipeline. Do you support this idea and the pipeline in general? Why or why not?

The State Legislature's Revenue and Taxation Interim Committee has postponed a decision about whether or not to move forward with the Lake Powell Pipeline as it continues to examine questions about the $1 billion price tag. This is a wise move on their part. Until it's clear to taxpayers across the state of Utah whether or not we have sufficient resources to go forward with this project - especially in light of earmarking 15% of our sales tax revenue away from crucial needs like education - it's best to wait. The legislature is also exploring whether or not private funding sources might be secured. Many competing issues must be carefully weighed before a final decision is reached including insuring that residents of St. George and Washington County have the water they need for future growth and whether the pipeline is the best approach given the environmental and economic concerns that have been raised.

Access to and use of federally owned public lands continues to be an important issue for Southern Utah. What policies and direction should the Legislature pursue on this issue?

The Sagebrush Rebellion was an idea that originated with Gov. Scott Matheson, whom I served with as Director of Economic Development. As Governor, I would continue Matheson's legacy by looking for collaborative ways to work with the federal government so Utah could gain access and use of public lands and roads in reasonable and responsible ways; while protecting what is most scenic, natural and beautiful about our state. I think much more can be accomplished by first having a plan in place which identifies which lands are most essential, how we are going to pay for the maintenance of those lands, and then setting a timetable with federal officials for reaching consensus.

According to latest U.S. Census figures, Utah ranked last in the nation in spending per student, and also had the highest student-per-teacher ratio in the nation. What can the Legislature do to alleviate that situation?

The outgoing State Superintendent of Schools Larry Shumway said it best, "if we are last, we can't be first." For the past 16 years, state leaders have valued roads and infrastructure more than our school children and the consequences are well-known - overcrowded classrooms, plummeting math and reading scores and declining graduation rates. The legislature needs to make education a priority - not an afterthought. And it must begin to take a hard look at all the earmarks which direct tens of millions of dollars away from our schools to other projects. Some $200 million was recently added to the education budget but that's only a drop in the bucket and will do little to make a real difference. Utah needs about $400 million just to move from dead last in per pupil funding to 49th and $2.2 billion just to reach the average in per pupil spending. In the first 120 days of my administration I will present a plan to the people of Utah and the legislature that moves us from 50th to 30th in per pupil funding over the next four years - by taking a hard look at incentives, earmarks, taxes and all other funding sources and offering the best solutions for our state.

What role should the state government play in addressing unemployment and the economy in Southern Utah?

Southern Utah as well as many other rural Utah regions is suffering more than the state's urban population base. Considering that one in four Washington County children live below the poverty line, the people of Southern Utah deserve a viable economic development strategy.

Today, Utah families bring home $1,150 less than they did in 1997, 133,000 Utahns have dropped out of the labor force because they can't find work and our wages are failing 7th fastest in the nation. We need leadership that doesn't ignore the economic mess we're in, and, more importantly that gets us moving forward again.

I have proposed a plan called Utah1 which I would initiate as Governor. With other state officials, I would work with leaders from our seven major geographical regions - including Southern Utah - to design an economic strategy that grows Utah from the bottom up and the middle out, not the top down.

Also, rather than use $646 million in tax incentives to lure out-of-state businesses to the state, I would target those incentives to energize and grow small businesses here in Utah - especially Washington County - where the real engines of economic growth are based.

What changes, if any, do you believe should be made to Utah's liquor laws?

First, with two state audits of the DABC - uncovering fraud, mismanagement and abuse - the first step I would take is to run the operation as a business and hold the Governor responsible.

Secondly, even though the legislature recently approved 90 new liquor licenses, restaurant and hospitality experts told the state that those numbers were insufficient to meet industry demands. As soon as the licenses were available one-third were claimed. In just a few short months, the supply could be exhausted. A number of restaurants want to come to Utah but are holding back because of the state's patchwork policy on alcohol. This is having a detrimental effect on Utah's economy and as a state, we've got to realize how important the food, beverage and hospitality sector is to economic growth and development. One owner of a national restaurant chain admitted that the scarcity of licenses made it difficult for them to do business in Utah. And a commercial developer has told state officials that the lack of a cohesive liquor license policy was hurting the sit-down restaurant business. With more of these types of eating establishments, Utah could add thousands of jobs.

As a state we ought to meet with representatives from the restaurant industry and develop a more consistent strategy that balances the state's traditional cultural norms with economic demands.

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Q&A with gubernatorial candidate Peter Cooke

Peter S. Cooke Party: Democrat Age: 63 Family: Married to Heather Nelson Cooke, 5 children Background: Retired as a two-star general from the Army Reserve; former director of Economic Development